Participants step up in droves to fight cancer at Relay for Life

Survivors, their loved ones, people currently fighting their battle with cancer and those walking in memory of relatives and friends who have died from the disease all came together for the Relay for Life of Greater Fall River, a walkathon held at Bishop Connolly High School.

David Costa and his wife, Ruth, both cancer survivors, were amazed at how many fellow survivors turned out Friday evening for the Relay for Life.

“Looking around, you just can’t believe how many people have survived just in this one area,” said David Costa, 75, of New Bedford, whose throat cancer has been in remission for six years.

“We’re thankful that we’re still ticking,” said Ruth Costa, who beat throat cancer 28 years ago.

Survivors, their loved ones, people currently fighting their battle with cancer and those walking in memory of relatives and friends who have died from the disease all came together for the Relay for Life of Greater Fall River, a walkathon held at Bishop Connolly High School.

The event brings teams of family, friends and neighbors together in an overnight vigil to raise awareness and money to combat cancer. Funds raised are used to support the American Cancer Society’s research efforts.

The event kicked off at 3 p.m. Friday and continued overnight, with each team having a representative on the track at all times. The walk will end late Saturday morning.

Mayor William Flanagan addressed the large turnout, estimated to be 1,180 participants from 74 teams. Combined, those teams have raised $116,000 for this year’s event.

“This is an unbelievable community event to help raise awareness for cancer research and also remember those who have lost their battle and to be there for those looking to fight the battle,” said Flanagan, whose mother survived breast cancer and has been in remission since 2005.

“You have to be moved being here,” Flanagan said.

Palmira Aguiar, a member of the Relay for Life’s organizing committee, also said it was touching to see the enthusiasm and support shown by those walking around the Bishop Connolly track and their teammates, who were camping out in tents on the infield.

“This is much larger than we expected,” Aguiar said. “Everyone donates their time. It’s just beautiful. We have the best people in the world in Fall River.”

An evening ceremony Friday included music, speakers, poetry and a timed release of butterflies into the air to honor cancer victims. Dozens of people wore purple T-shirts with “I Am Hope” written on the back.

Clarisse Almeida, 39, of Fall River, was walking with about 20 teammates from PrimaCARE. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 16.

“They caught it early,” Almeida said, adding that she got cancer at an age when she was probably too naive to understand the full implications.

“I didn’t know how dangerous it could be,” she said.

Almeida added that she planned to be at the relay for the entire duration. She said the closing ceremony is always an emotional moment for everyone.

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“I’ll be crying at some point,” she said. “There will be tears shed.”